Reed Birney returns to Broadway for the first time in three decades in Picnic, opening Jan. 13. In celebration, the Playbill Vault looks back on his 1977 debut in Gemini.

Albert Innaurato's play made its New York City premiere Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons and later transferred to Broadway's Little Theatre (now the Helen Hayes). Reed Birney was 22 years old when the show opened on May 21, 1977. The original cast included Jonathan Hadary, who is currently featured in LCT's Golden Boy, and Danny Aiello. Jeff Daniels made his Broadway debut as an uncredited assistant stage manager and understudy for Birney and Hadary.

Gemini received warm reviews (Clive Barnes of the New York Times deemed it "an immensely likable little play"), though the production and its cast were overlooked in the awards season. However, the show went on to enjoy a four-year Broadway run, a rare feat for a non-musical.